Cilantro and Serrano Pepper Mexican Rice

I first made this Cilantro and Serrano Pepper Mexican Rice to take to a friends Mexican themed barbecue many, many years ago. It is unbelievably good; so good that I kept ‘tasting’ it so much that I had to make a second batch for the party…oops! I don’t quite remember a dish that I’ve had as many requests for, it’s really that good. Don’t let the seeming innocuousness of the ingredients fail to impress; it is the combination of those perfect ingredients that makes a dish that I can not stop eating. This Cilantro Serrano Mexican Rice is absolutely addictive; bet you can’t taste just one bite either!

I’ve included it this week as my contribution to the Food Network’s #SensationalSides that we’re doing for summer dishes. This week it’s all about foods that are perfect for a picnic and we have one big last hurrah this coming Labor Day weekend. I love it for outdoor events, there is nothing to spoil and it’s meant to be served at room temperature, so this Cilantro and Serrano Mexican Rice dish is ideal for a barbecue or picnic.

When I posted this recipe several years ago; the photo I used was one of the last photos taken by an old point and shoot camera and I was tired of cringing whenever I saw it. I love this dish so much and wanted a photo that was more appealing since it is seriously one of my favorite dishes. Although the ingredients are pretty simple and not especially beautiful; trust that this dish is AMAZING.

When my friend’s Sandy and Ansh joined me for dinner last summer I made this rice for us and expected to do a re-shoot then. Except we ate too much of it. So another do-over later and finally I’ve got something I can live with (until a couple of years from now right?). I don’t fashion myself as a food photographer by trade but I know that my photography has improved over the years and some of the dishes on this blog deserve better than I first gave them…this one especially.

One word of caution when making this most excellent dish; be very careful when working with the Serrano peppers in this recipe. Serrano peppers have a higher Scoville Heat unit than milder jalapeno chiles so either wear gloves or do what I did…except for removing the inside membrane and seeds with a paring knife I used my mini Cuisinart to finely chop the pepper. They are so strong they it actually hurts when I breathe in the fumes but used in a small quantity they are absolutely necessary for the end result flavor of this dish. Funny thing…it’s not hot at all; they just combine with all the other ingredients and the flavor is an absolute necessity.

The first time I used them without gloves, I must have rubbed my eye several hours later and it still burned. I’ve heard that it’s wise to use extra caution with gloves as well if you think you will be holding an infant as the Capsaicin on your fingers can burn their gentle skin. One trick I’ve learned? Capsaicin is oil soluble…rub your hands with a bit of oil before washing them and it should bind the capsaicin to the oil and wash it away. Ever put a pepper in your mouth that burned too much…try rubbing some butter inside your mouth to do the same thing!

Do try it, it is seriously the BEST Mexican rice dish I’ve ever had. Take my word for it and oh…just to be safe? Double the recipe from the getgo and then start tasting away!

Add Cilantro Dressing to rice and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead; let stand at room temperature.)

Recipe Notes

When I originally made this dish I used a cup of olive oil but too often that has meant having some oil at the bottom of the serving bowl so I've cut it down...if you feel your dish could use a bit more, drizzle it as needed after adding the dressing.

Candy, the olive oil is indeed a part of the taste as there is a fair amount and it’s the basis for the dressing that is poured onto the rice but that doesn’t mean avocado oil wouldn’t also be acceptable; it would just lend a bit different flavor. Funny you should mention that Serrano chile; I think it might scare people off but this is not a hot and spicy dish, there is just enough Serrano to add flavor to the dressing without adding fire!

I would certainly give it a try or at the very least maybe try half and half with oils…without experimentation this whole cooking business would be boring so I say go for it…and let me know!

I just thought this would be a nice recipe to bring to a barbecue and not have to worry about a mayonnaise base and spoiling. I had no idea how much I would love it…please do try it; NO ONE has ever been disappointed! And go on…eat half a bowl. It’s a rite of passage. 🙂

The chiles scare some folks but nothing about this dish is hot; they are used just right and add a flavor component without upping the heat quotient. Just perfect with the cilantro…oh my I want to make some more!

I am so glad to have stumbled by – I learned a new trick today – thanks to you! I had no clue oil helped tame capsaicin’s heat – I always thought it was milk that helped…this rice looks and sounds wonderful! LOVE the addition of serrano and cumin!!

Barb, I know I’ve said this before BUT I MEAN IT– you need to start a photography class. I saw a facebook conversation the other day in which someone asked for tips over a skype conversation. You should do it! I’ll be your first paying customer in your studio and you can broadcast the session over skype. Email me when you are ready for it. May I request the first topic? White Balance.
In the mean time I will enjoy your photography and recipes and learn as I go. The dish looks great!

I used to be like everyone else. Pictures of my kids, photos from vacation we never looked at. This food photography thing was all new and it showed. Now? I love it as much as cooking! Try this dish John…it’s amazing.

I made this recipe and just had to let you know how much we loved it! It was DELICIOUS! I halved the recipe and my husband and I ate it between us! I was eating it from the time it was cooked, at all stages of warmth it was just as delicious. This will be a regular for me! Thanks Barb!

So glad you enjoyed it too Jayne. I don’t think the ingredient list comes close to providing the expectation of how wonderful it is! Though I have starting cutting back a bit on the olive oil; when I made it last week it seemed too much so I’m revising the recipe to read 1/2 to 1 cup per your own taste. Shh…don’t tell OK? I made it for company but noshed on it so much I had to make a second batch. Oops.

Thanks for this recipe! I made a version of it tonight and will be adding it to the regular line up! I actually left out the oil in the dressing as I wasn’t going to serve it cold or as a salad. I added peas and corn to the rice mix when nearly cooked. When the rice was cooked I put the dressing straight in and mixed it up and we ate it as a hot rice dish. It was absolutely delicious like this!

I am just getting out of the bad photo stage so I know exactly what you are talking about!! I was looking for a rice dish to make tonight and we love heat here so I think I found just the dish!! Thanks so much for this post. Much foodie <3

Just made this last night and absolutely loved it. It almost didn’t make it to the table because I kept “sampling” it 😉
I blended the dressing ingredients in a magic bullet so it was super easy! The dressing adds such flavor to the rice: tangy, garlicky, spicy! Yum!

Cilantro is relatively new to my culinary journey; I’ve only been using it for the past 5 or 6 years. But…I love it too and now plant it each summer so I have my own ready supply. Had planned to make this rice today…but yardwork got the best of me so I’ll probably wait until next weekend when I’m having company otherwise I will eat all of it. In one sitting. (I think I’m joking?). Thanks for stopping by!

mmmm… thanks so much for sending it this to me, it looks amazing and definitely something I would like, since you know, I love cilantro! 😉 This reminds me a little about the awesome rice they have at Chipotle, but with some heat. Thanks for the tips about protecting your hands when working with peppers, and I wonder if different people have different sensitivities. I have worked with jalapenos tons of times and never worn gloves and no problems… but I would definitely wear gloves with these hotties!!!

Maybe not but it’s hard to discern because I love it. I understand him not liking something though. I hate green pepper. You can roast it, mince it, bake it…run it through the dishwasher even…and it’s all I taste. When we do meet and you mistakenly decide to cook something with green pepper, I will not complain or say a word…but you will notice the grimace on my face. Now you know!

This is SO good; I would make it if entertaining because it does make a fair amount and let him taste it; the serrano and cilantro make for such an amazing flavor profile yet it’s the sum of their parts, not an overpowering taste of either one.

I’m doing my best to introduce cilantro into our household. Eric HATES it (thinks it tastes like soap) and he refuses to get it. I have heard that the flavor is not as potent when it has been minced. What do you think?

this was sooooo yummy….the rice alone is great. Used Knorr instead of chicken broth and it made it so rich. It is a keeper…can hardly wait to share it with others!
thanks so much for sharing such a wonderful recipe.

I don’t think it actually has any ‘heat’ to speak of when eating it, but just know that the flavor would be lacking without it.

The original recipe from way back that I first used as inspiration called for half the cilantro dressing to be mixed with the rice…but I always kept adding more and more and more…so check the amount you add too if you think the sauce is too much for you.

I used to be averse to all hot peppers but after 20 years of enjoying them not sure if I’m a good judge of whether something is hot or not…I don’t think so but would love your feedback.

I am sooooo making this! Was worried about the serrano but then read that it actually loses some of its heat during the cooking process so am going to go for it – love the color and can only imagine how good it tastes; and you know, I almost ALWAYS like the sides better than a meat dish!

Thank you for stopping by. It’s a wonderful dish…just finished the rest last night; shed a little tear!

I’ve been putting recipes on a website for 15 years…but no pictures til I started this blog. It’s a weird combination of strengths to assume a cook could also be a photographer but it’s been fun..I’m a creative sort who enjoys learning something new.

I didn’t move to a DSLR until I had no choice. Point and shoot died. Period. If I had insisted on repair, well, I wouldn’t have because the expense would have equated to more than I wanted to invest in an 8 year old camera. I know the last picture it took; will do another before after pic when I make that dish this summer; it looks awful. 🙁

The thing is, it’s not hot at all and most of the serrano is sauteed with onion and garlic so that releases a lot of the burn…but it just has a richness of flavor to that sauce that makes it important. BUT, use a milder pepper, a wimpy one like jalapeno if you want to and yes, wear those gloves!

This looks great! I’m thinking I can adapt it for the rice cooker, too, so I’m VERY excited about that. I’m not sure I can handle the serrano pepper, thought. I’m pretty wimpy when it comes to peppers. Of course, this may be because of the incident when I got jalapeno pepper in my eye (b/c I was stupid and didn’t wear gloves when cutting one).

[…] which ones they loved the best..they all said that hands down their favorite was…tada..my Cilantro Rice Dish! It is the perfect accompaniment and you should try it too. Don’t let the serrano chile fool […]

[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Barbara Kiebel, Amanda Opaluch. Amanda Opaluch said: Do you love cilantro like I do? Check out this recipe from @VinoLuci http://bit.ly/b63D7v Mmm, sounds so delicious and perfect for summer! […]

[…] which ones they loved the best..they all said that hands down their favorite was…tada..my Cilantro Rice Dish! It is the perfect accompaniment and you should try it too. Don’t let the serrano chile fool […]

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